New insights into the phylogeny and historical biogeography of the Lellingeria myosuroides clade (Polypodiaceae).

Abstract

Grammitid ferns are a well-supported clade of ~900 primarily tropical epiphytic species. Recent phylogenetic studies have found support for a distinctive, geographically diverse group of 24 species referred to as the Lellingeria myosuroides clade and have provided evidence for a variety of phylogenetic relationships within the group, as well as hypotheses of historical processes that have produced current biogeographical patterns. We present new data and analyses that support the following primary conclusions: 1) the L. myosuroides clade is monophyletic and pantropical; 2) that clade is sister to a more species rich clade of entirely Neotropical species (Lellingeria s.s.); 3) we infer two independent dispersal events from the Neotropics to Pacific islands, five independent dispersal events from the Neotropics to the Paleotropics, and two separate dispersal events from mainland tropical America to the West Indies.